Documents Required for F-1 Visa

The F1 Visa is a US student visa (non-immigrant) required by international students who wish to study in the US. However, if you enter to study in the USA through this visa, you are required to complete the whole duration of the course. Only the US Embassies and USA consulates outside the US have the authority to issue F-1 Visas. However, extensions in stay or changes in the status of the applicant can be done within the US through legitimate agencies. Certain documents are required for F-1 visa application completion, and this article will discuss them in detail about the same. 

Further, the spouse and/or children of the F-1 Visa candidates need to get the dependent’s F-2 Visa. The F-2 Visa holders are not permitted to join any form of employment although the children are allowed to attend public schools. Since the visa procedure is a strenuous process, you should start applying beforehand. As soon as you receive your admit or acceptance letter from the university and the I-20 form, you should apply for an F-1 Visa. In order to apply, F1 visa slot booking formalities must be completed by students 6-8 weeks prior to their travel to the USA. Avoid delaying your slot booking for an F1 visa as it may further cause delays in your travel and visa application approval. The following students will have to apply for an F-1 visa to study in the USA:

Check out the article below to understand the process of getting accepted at US universities and what documents are required for an F-1 student visa for international students. 

Process to Get a Student Visa in USA

Once you receive the acceptance letter from your preferred US University, you will be registered with the SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) and have to pay the one-time application fee (SEVIS). Students need to show the funds and pay the deposit if required by the university to get the I-20 form.

Once you receive the i20 you need to pay the SEVIS fee. The I-20 form will act as a supporting document to prove that you have enough funds for your entire stay duration, as there is a limited number of legal employment opportunities. This form will also serve as the medium to schedule an appointment for your US student visa interview with the local US Embassy or Consulate.

Check out the following links:

• Tips to Ace US Student Visa Interview
• Interview Guide for US F-1 Student Visa

F-1 Visa Document Requirements

Before we share the list of documents required for the F-1 Visa interview, we would like to reiterate that you will not be asked for any documents other than your application/ appointment letter. However, being prepared is always advisable and you should keep these documents handy for that one-in-a-million chance of the interviewer asking to see any document.

Also, file them neatly so that they are easily accessible. In addition, your original passport should be readily available, as you would be requested to submit the same.

Set 1: Personal Information

• Passport (current and all the previous ones)
• MRV Fee Receipt
• Visa Interview Appointment Letter
• DS 160 Confirmation Slip (with the bar code clearly visible)
• SEVIS Fee Receipt
• Passport Size Photograph (as per regulations mentioned)

Set 2: Educational Documents

• Academic Transcripts like Class 10th and 12th Certificates and mark sheets
• GRE or GMAT for graduate courses and SAT scorecard for undergrad admissions
• IELTS or TOEFL scorecards or even PTE scorecards
• Bachelor’s Degree/ Provisional Degree Certificate or course completion certificate or mark sheet for all the years as well as the consolidated mark sheet (if applicable)

Set 3: Work-related Documents (if applicable)

• Joining Letter
• Salary Slips (last six months)
• Relieving Letter

Set 4: Financial Documents

• Loan Approval Letter (if applicable)
• Saving Bank Account Statement (recommended: last three years)
• Fixed Deposit Certificates (recommended: last three years)
• Tax Returns for the past three years
• Property Documents (residential, commercial, ancestral and/or farmland)

Check out: Financial Documents Required to Study Abroad

Once you have all the documents ready, you need to start preparing for the visa interview. Remember to arrive a few minutes ahead of your scheduled time with all the documents and receipts. To know more about F-1 Visa interview preparation tips, read the Interview Guide for F1 Student Visa for the USA.

You might also like to read:

• US Student Visa: Myth vs Reality
• Requirements for getting a Student Visa
• Interview Tips for Student Visa